Michelle Byriel is a self-professed shark nerd who appreciates every nurse shark at the Stuart Oceanographic Society's lagoon."Sharks are very awesome animals," said Byriel. "I love sharks. They're what got me into marine science."And she wants to allay the wave of fear that crests whenever there is a widely reported shark attack, such as Tuesday's on 6-year-old Nickolaus Bieber, swimming on Jupiter Beach at dusk."People start to get intimidated," said Byriel. "They don't want to go in the water and start freaking out."In reality, Byriel said the chances of getting attacked by a shark are very slim."If you consider how many millions of people go in the water every day, especially here in Florida, and the amount of sharks in our waters, the numbers of people getting bit are extremely, extremely low," said Byriel. "You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning, and we are one of the lightning capitals of the world."Still, people do get attacked. So how does one stay safe? Byriel advises to avoid swimming at dusk or dawn when sharks feed."It's kind of the rush hour of the ocean," said Byriel. "I like to say, all the daytime fish are going to rest and all the nighttime fish are coming out, so sharks take advantage of that."Avoid swimming among bait fish, in seaweed or murky water. And be careful just beyond breaking waves. Byriel said studies show sharks sometimes float there to enjoy the wave action.Stick to shallower water as sharks are more common in deeper waters, as surfers know. And don't swim alone."Sharks are one. They look for that loner," said Byriel. "Usually, it's a fish that goes away from the school, it's sick or an easy target. So if you're swimming alone, that's why a buddy system is always great because then you don't look like a loner."

STUART, Fla. —

Michelle Byriel is a self-professed shark nerd who appreciates every nurse shark at the Stuart Oceanographic Society's lagoon.

And she wants to allay the wave of fear that crests whenever there is a widely reported shark attack, such as Tuesday's on 6-year-old Nickolaus Bieber, swimming on Jupiter Beach at dusk.

"People start to get intimidated," said Byriel. "They don't want to go in the water and start freaking out."

In reality, Byriel said the chances of getting attacked by a shark are very slim.

"If you consider how many millions of people go in the water every day, especially here in Florida, and the amount of sharks in our waters, the numbers of people getting bit are extremely, extremely low," said Byriel. "You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning, and we are one of the lightning capitals of the world."

Still, people do get attacked. So how does one stay safe? Byriel advises to avoid swimming at dusk or dawn when sharks feed.

"It's kind of the rush hour of the ocean," said Byriel. "I like to say, all the daytime fish are going to rest and all the nighttime fish are coming out, so sharks take advantage of that."

Avoid swimming among bait fish, in seaweed or murky water. And be careful just beyond breaking waves. Byriel said studies show sharks sometimes float there to enjoy the wave action.

Stick to shallower water as sharks are more common in deeper waters, as surfers know. And don't swim alone.

"Sharks are one. They look for that loner," said Byriel. "Usually, it's a fish that goes away from the school, it's sick or an easy target. So if you're swimming alone, that's why a buddy system is always great because then you don't look like a loner."